Andover Youth Services Full-Time Staff Resigns

ANDOVER, MA — The full-time staff of Andover Youth Services resigned Thursday, effective Sept. 2, the town confirmed Friday.

The resignations come in the wake of the May firing of longtime Youth Services Director Bill Fahey.

Fahey was fired in May following an investigation by an attorney hired by the town over allegations of inappropriate conduct. The investigator Regina Ryan did not consider all allegations against Fahey substantiated, but found there was sufficient cause for the town to take action, according to the redacted report the town released in July.

Fahey and critics of the town say Town Manager Andrew Flanagan has been targeting Fahey for years and fired him in an attempt to gain control of the Youth Services division. Fahey has sued Flanagan and the town, alleging defamation.

Patch reached out to the departing staff for comment and will update this story when we hear back. The town is expected to issue a statement Friday afternoon.

Gabe Levine, a co-chair of the Independent Andover Youth Strategic Council, said the staff resigned due to the "toxic work environment fueled by Town Manager Andrew Flanagan."

"Flanagan has used his position of power and influence to bully town employees, residents, and the youth of Andover," Levine wrote in a Facebook post.

Levine's group was formed following the June town meeting to support Andover Youth Services, he said.

"We support the AYS staff and wholly denounce the smear campaign against Bill Fahey and AYS," Levine said.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.